Overview

Essential thrombocythemia belongs to a group of conditions called myeloproliferative disorders. Myeloproliferative disorders cause platelets, white blood cells and red blood cells to grow abnormally in the bone marrow (the soft tissue inside the hollow part of bones that helps form blood cells). In essential thrombocythemia, the body produces too many platelet cells. The signs and symptoms vary from person to person, with up to two-thirds of patients not having any symptoms when the platelet cell count first increases. Signs and symptoms may include significant increased production of megakaryocyte (a cell in the bone marrow that is responsible for making platelets), enlargement of the spleen (splenomegaly), and bleeding and/or clotting episodes.[1][2]

The CMPD Education Foundation provides online information on myeloproliferative disorders (MPD). Click on the link to view the resource.

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In Depth Information

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PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Essential thrombocythemia. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.